Children (Ages 4-11): Milestones & Schedules - Parents play a critical role in their child's development. Providing a safe and loving home and spending time together can make a big difference! Besides tracking your child’s growth and development, you can learn about topics such as developmental disabilities, immunization recommendations, and screening. For more information go to: https://www.cdc.gov/parents/children/milestones.html

Knowledge Healthy Tip

Health information when traveling outside the United States: Information from the Centers for Disease Control related to medicines, vaccines, and other health advice when traveling can be found at: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

Prevention Healthy Tip

Swimming safety & health benefits: Swimming is an excellent way to get the physical activity and health benefits needed for a healthy life. However, they are not risk-free. CDC’s Healthy Swimming website provides information on how to maximize the health benefits of swimming while minimizing the risk of illness and injury. For more information go to: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/index.html

Spring Healthy Tips

Wellness Healthy Tip

Dairy foods: Packed with nutritional value, dairy foods are an important source of nutrition for growing children and teens. Dairy products are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, including carbohydrates, protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins A, D, B12, riboflavin and niacin. Further information can be found at: http://southeastdairy.org/health-benefits-of-dairy/

Knowledge Healthy Tip

Lightning safety: When thunder roars go indoors, the weather is unpredictable in the spring and summer. Thunderstorms and lightning can occur with little warning. Make a plan by checking the weather forecasts, recognizing the signs of a coming storm and teaching your child the dangers of lightning. Follow the 30/30 rule. Begin counting when you see a lightning and stop when you hear thunder. Dividing this number by five will determine the distance (in miles) to the lightning. Wait at least 30 minutes following the last sound of thunder or lightning flash before your child goes outdoors. Further information can be found at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Lightning-Sports-Safety-When-Thunder-Roars-Go-Indoors.aspx

Prevention Healthy Tip

Seasonal allergies: Nip it in the bud, Spring means flower buds and blooming trees — and if you have seasonal allergies (hay fever, allergic rhinitis), it also means sneezing, congestion, a runny nose and other bothersome symptoms. Try these simple tips to keep seasonal allergies under control: a) reduce your exposure to allergy triggers, b). take extra steps when pollen counts are high, and c) keep indoor air clean. Further information can be found at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/ART-20048343

Winter Sports Safety Tip - Ice Skating, skate only on approved ice skating surfaces. Children should be advised to always skate in the direction of the crowd, to never skate alone, and never horse play while skating. For more information go to: Healthy Children, Winter Sports Safety Tips at https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Winter-Safety.aspx

Prevention Healthy Tip

Protect Your Kids: Prevent Over-the-Counter & Prescription Medication Abuse, two-thirds of teens who report abuse of prescription medicine are getting them from friends, family and acquaintances. Make sure the teens in your life don't have access to your medicine. Find out how to monitor, secure and properly dispose of unused and expired prescription and over-the-counter cough medicine in your home. For more information go to: http://medicineabuseproject.org/resources/protect-your-kids-3-steps-to-safeguard-your-home

Fall Healthy Tips

Wellness Healthy Tip

Why Walk? Why Not! The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that children be active for at least 60 minutes every day. Walking can contribute to overall health, and decrease the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes. Walking is a great way to get the physical activity . It also does not require a gym membership or expensive equipment. More information can be found at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/walking/index.htm

Knowledge Healthy Tip

Button Batteries swallowed by children can cause serious injury. More than 3,500 incidents of button battery ingestion are reported to U.S. poison control centers each year, and these incidents may be vastly under-reported. The number of children with serious injury or death more than quadrupled in the past five years between 2006 and 2010, compared to the five years prior. More information can be found at Poison Control: National Capital Poison Center http://www.poison.org/battery

Prevention Healthy Tip

Playground Fall Prevention. Each year in the US, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children. You can take the following steps to keep kids safe by: a) Checking that playgrounds have a soft material under them such as wood chips, sand, or mulch, b) Reading playground signs and using playground equipment that is right for your child's age, c) Making sure there are guardrails in good condition to prevent falls, and d) Looking out for things in the play area that can trip your child, like tree stumps and rocks. More information can be found at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/safechild/playground/index.html

Spring Healthy Tips

Knowledge Tip

You can protect your child from the sun! Just a few serious sunburns can increase your child's risk of skin cancer later in life. Their skin needs protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they're outdoors. For more information go to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/children.htm

Wellness Tip

Meal portion control can lead to a healthier eating style. Before you eat, think about what goes on your plate, in your cup, or in your bowl. For more information go to USDA Choose My Plate at www.choosemyplate.gov

Winter Healthy Tips

Knowledge Tip

Hypothermia
Hypothermia or frostbite can occur when kids are under-dressed in freezing temperatures, outside too long in wet clothes, or hands, ears and heads are exposed. The following link includes a chart with Weather Guidelines for Children that can assist you in dressing your child for the cold winter months. https://www.ok.gov/health2/documents/weatherwatchforchildren2.pdf

Wellness Tip

Lowering sodium (salt) in children's diets today can help prevent heart disease tomorrow
US children eat more sodium than recommended. Small changes make a big impact on your child's daily sodium intake. CDC article, Reducing Sodium in Children’s’ Diets:http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/pdf/2014-09-vitalsigns.pdf

Prevention Tip

Your child can help in stopping the spread of germs at school and home
Good hand washing is the best prevention method. Other prevention methods include: avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands (if needed, use a tissue), cough into a tissue or sleeve to avoid spreading airborne droplets, and staying home from school when sick. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/stopgerms.htm

Fall Healthy Tips

Knowledge Tip

Physical activity 60 minutes a day makes a difference
Children and adolescents should be participating in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Make it fun by getting the whole family involved! Regular physical activity improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, reduces anxiety and stress, and increases self-esteem. http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.htm

Wellness Tip

Drinking water has many health benefits
Getting enough water every day is important for your health. Water helps your body: keep your temperature normal, lubricate and cushion joints, protect your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, and get rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements. http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/nutrition/index.html

Wear your seat belt all the time- it can save your life!
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Even though accidents are preventable seven teens between the ages of 16 - 19 will die every day from motor vehicle injuries. Wearing your seat belt is a proven strategy that can improve the safety of drivers on the road. http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html

Wellness Tip

Your school aged child should see the pediatrician once a year for a well care visit.
Yearly check-ups will let you know if your child is growing properly and ensure your child is up-to-date on scheduled vaccinations. Getting your child vaccinated is one of the best ways parents can protect infants, children, and teens from 16 potentially harmful diseases. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/index.html

Prevention Tip

Plan for a Disaster.
Families can cope with disasters by preparing in advance and working together as a team. If something were to happen, how would you contact one another, how would you get to a safe place, and what would you do in different emergency situations? Planning what to do before a disaster strikes provides the best protection for you and your family. http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/plan/

May Healthy Tips

Knowledge Tip

Ticks in Virginia are most active from April-September. You should check your body for ticks after being in wooded and bushy high grass areas. Ticks should be removed from your body as soon as possible. For more information on Tick removal go to http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html

Drinking enough water every day is important for your health. Increase consumption by carrying a water bottle. When eating out, choose water instead of soft drinks. (This will save money too!) Improve the taste by adding a wedge of lemon or lime. www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/water.htlm

The Virginia Beach City Public Schools established a School Health Advisory Board (SHAB) in 1991. Its primary purpose is to advocate for student health, and to advise the school division regarding student health issues and school health programs. The SHAB meets quarterly during each school year at the Laskin Road Annex and is comprised of volunteers which includes: parents, school employees, health professionals, and community representatives.